Dig the View!

Silvermines is the site of some of the longest worked mineral deposits in Ireland. The oldest records to mining here date to 1289 when miners from 'Italy' were working the veins. The mines were doubly important being a source of lead (used for roofing especially of the new monastries being built in the C13th) and of silver (for coinage). The working of the mines continued sparadically for the next 6oo years and saw extensive workings in the mid-C19th, the remains of which can be seen in the buildings at Silvermines and Shallee. These include three engine houses which would have contained Cornish beam engines for pumping, winding and crushing. The modern phase of mining began in the 1950's and culminated in the discovery of the massive stratiform lead-zinc-bartye deposit in the mid-1960's which was worked underground and on the surface until 1984. In recent years the legacy of this last phase of mining has been the toxic waste of the tips and tailings ponds.

A walk along the ridge of Silvermines Mountain gives a good overview of the mine workings at the foot of the mountain. Leaving Silvermines village and driving southwards on the minor road we pass the barren landscape of the C19th mine workings before heading steeply uphill. Begining our walk at the entrance to Knockanroe Woods ( Coillte Knockanroe (R84478 69376) ) there is a short detour to the east to bag the disappointing summit of Silvermines far east top. But the main focus of the walk is to head westwards uphill through the forest towards Silvermines East Top. The vista from the summit includes the tips from the C20th mine workings and the now flooded openpit of the Macobar bartye mine.

From the east summit the path now takes a roller coaster down and up steep (but thankfully short) slopes to reach Silvermines West Top. Again there are views of the mines from here but of special note is the main C20th tailings pond which can be seen to the NW on the floor of the plain below. This tailings pond was the source of lead rich dust blows about 10 years ago and now the waste has been stabilised with a new cover to stop the dust.

The ridge continues westwards from the West Top and an enticing summit can be seen about 1km away (A (R80907 69437)). At first this would appear to be a distinct summit which should be included in Mountain Views. However I measured the elevation difference between the col and the summit as only 10m. Thus the western most summit does not have enough prominence to count as a MV summit. Despite its shortcomings of not being a 'summit' we had fantastic views from here to the west across the River Shannon as far as the Arra Mountains and beyond, staying long enough to enjoy the sunset before heading back to the car.

The round trip from the car park at Knockanroe to the west end of the ridge is about 7km and took us 2.5hrs (including the short detour to Far East Summit). Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/489/comment/6080/

Read Less

A gentle walk in the woods (mostly)

Little effort required, certainly in terms of a climb. The start point is at 390m, so other than a bit of up and down along a decent track, you've only got just over 100m ascent over a distance of about 2 and a bit km. Misty most of the way for me, so I can't comment on views. Sun was trying its best to break through, but sadly failed! Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/489/comment/23705/

Read Less

200th Top

Silvermines Mtns W was the lucky 200th top for me! Climbed it on a gloriously sunny day after Moylussa circuit and Toutinna so was a little tired and sadly brought no champagne! Actually a lovely hill with splendid views all round. Starting point is Knocknaroe Forest Recreation Area B (R845 695) and there are clear paths courtesy of Coillte. It's taken me over 3 yrs to get to this number having first started with Paddy Dillons book of 2'000ft tops and later branching out to county tops and local hills with MountainViews web site. It's been a very enjoyable journey so far and I'm only half way through the 2'000 footers as well as my local hills! Loads more still to do! Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/489/comment/4690/

Read Less

pdtempan on Silvermine Mountains West Top

Took this snap while passing through, on my way back to Belfast from Kerry. There are several old mine buildings and spoil heaps which are reminders of the mining activity which gave these hills their name. According to a plaque in Silvermines village, the first recorded exploitation of mineral wealth in this area was at the end of the 13th century, when Italian prospectors came from Genoa and Florence. As well as silver, lead and zinc was also mined here. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/489/comment/3653/

Read Less

Why no trig or cairn?

From the car park on the road that passes through the Silvermines as mentioned by simon3, there is a nice wood loop walk to the West of here. Halfway around the loop, it's possible to leave the loop at C (R82867 69504) and head West along a defined path for about 1 kilometre to the highest point on the Silvermines. Silvermine West Top is an unmarked height of 489 metres. If time is on your side you can continue on another kilometre over to the unnamed summit as mentioned by mcrtchly. On the more direct route back to the car park you will take in Silvermines East Top if you had taken the lower loop trail on the way out. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/489/comment/20148/

Read Less